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Macro- and Microstructure of the Airways for Drug Delivery

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Controlled Pulmonary Drug Delivery

Part of the book series: Advances in Delivery Science and Technology ((ADST))

Abstract

Both anatomy and physiology of the airways are critical for understanding and predicting the dynamics of drug delivery systems that are inhaled. This theme that intimately links the biology of the airways to the response of pulmonary drug delivery systems is present throughout other following chapters in this book. Therefore, it is ideal to introduce these concepts in this chapter by first addressing the lung architecture on the macroscale and how it influences drug delivery. Then, we discuss the microscale interactions between the airway environment and drug delivery system. By discussing the anatomy and physiology at these scales in the direct context of pulmonary drug delivery, we believe this chapter is unique and, hopefully, useful for those seeking the controlled release in the respiratory tract.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. College of Pharmacy, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, 78746, USA

    Hugh D. C. Smyth

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  1. Kevin P. O’Donnell
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  2. Hugh D. C. Smyth
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Correspondence to Hugh D. C. Smyth .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. , Pharmaceutics Division - PHR 4.214, University of Texas, University Station 1, Austin, 78712, USA

    Hugh D.C. Smyth

  2. Eshelman School of Pharmacy, Division of Molecular Pharmaceutics, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, 27599, North Carolina, USA

    Anthony J. Hickey

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O’Donnell, K.P., Smyth, H.D.C. (2011). Macro- and Microstructure of the Airways for Drug Delivery. In: Smyth, H., Hickey, A. (eds) Controlled Pulmonary Drug Delivery. Advances in Delivery Science and Technology. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4419-9745-6_1

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